Advanced Filing

This is the fifth project in Stage 4 of the Silver Program at Jewellery Training Solutions. The main goal of this lesson is to achieve proficiency in filing and to test filing skills. It’s another lesson I was hesitant to complete, but I’m so glad I did! Only two more projects in this level, and then I move on, away from rings for a little while.

What were the challenges?

Marking where the facets go has to be absolutely precise. And the file needs to be completely level, or the faces will have multiple little facets.

Where could I improve?

I’m actually very happy with how this project turned out. The solder joint for the ring is still slightly noticeable on the inside, so I’d like to figure out how to make that completely disappear. Any more filing and the thickness of the ring wouldn’t have been consistent enough.

What did I learn?

This was a terrific lesson in file control! It’s very easy to inadvertently rock the file so the surface has a slight curve to it, or to not hold the file completely flat so it creates smaller facets. I would love to flush set stones in each of the hexagon faces!